I always dreamed of working with a team of passionate professionals who encourage creative learning and challenge each other to make a difference. As a Communications graduate student at Oklahoma State University, I joined a brilliant group from the Strategic Communications Club on a tour of advertising agencies in Oklahoma City, including VI Marketing and Branding. It was a day packed with insights and exposure, where I asked questions and learned about real-world experiences from professionals. Walking into VI, the air was different — it was filled with creativity, positivity and diversity. All this delighted me, and I knew instantly that I wanted to work alongside these passionate professionals. This summer, my dream became a reality when I landed a social media internship with VI. Now, as the internship comes to a close, I'm sharing the inside scoop so you can score your own internship.
Here's the Ultimate VI Internship Guide:
Lessons Learned
At VI, everyone is strategic and creative, regardless of their department. I had the unique opportunity to witness and participate in their creative process firsthand — everything from brainstorming sessions to shot-list creation. I saw how original ideas come to life and make a real impact across platforms. I learned creativity isn't just about coming up with big ideas — it's about finding fresh solutions to challenges and continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible in modern marketing.
3 Essential Skills I Learned at My VI Internship
First, I want to emphasize that some of these skills stem from the exceptional work culture and VI’s core values, which are being honorable, dependable, smart, creative, driven and respectful. This authenticity made my internship experience truly invaluable.
- COLLABORATION: The collaborative environment at VI has fostered my growth. It teaches every intern the importance of teamwork and mutual respect in producing a creative idea through to its execution. I’ve had the chance to work with multiple teams, each contributing their ingenious perspectives and expertise to our projects. Seeing this all play out provided a holistic understanding of VI’s processes.
- STRATEGIC THINKING: Working in an agency requires strategy, and this internship enhanced my skills in this area. Interning at VI offers a high-level experience that enables you to envision change and even walks you through it. This experience revealed the type of reasoning that’s involved in every campaign and project to serve each VI client, meet their unique needs and enable them to hit their strategic goals.
- COMMUNICATION: I enhanced my ability to articulate my ideas clearly with my team through emails, team meetings and presentations. This internship will help sharpen your skills for communicating effectively internally and proposing solutions for any project you are embarking on.
A Day in the Life of a VI Content Intern
Here's a glimpse into a typical day as a content intern at VI:
- Start the morning discussing weekly goals with my supervisor and clarifying tasks.
- Work on tasks like community management and scheduling.
- Collaborate with creative minds during brainstorming sessions and content reviews.
- Attend Food for Thought, our weekly lunch and learn.
- Speak with experts from different departments to learn more about their roles.
- End my day feeling empowered.
Something to Chew On
To help you navigate your own present or future VI internship, here are some tips for a transformative experience in every department:
First Day Essentials
- Arrive early.
- Dress for success.
- Be ready for onboarding.
- Come hungry for pancakes!
Building Relationships
- Be friendly and approachable.
- Network with other interns and employees.
- Sign up for VI’s mentorship program.
Managing Workload
- Prioritize tasks.
- Use organizational tools.
- Ask for help when needed.
Developing Skills
- Seek feedback.
- Take initiative on tasks.
- Engage in learning opportunities.
Handling Challenges
- Stay positive.
- Ask questions for clarification.
- Reframe mistakes as learning opportunities.
Professionalism in the Workplace
- Maintain punctuality.
- Exhibit a strong work ethic.
- Respect confidentiality.
Making a Lasting Impression
- Deliver high-quality work.
- Be proactive.
- Write thank you notes.
My VI internship proved to be an incredibly rewarding experience, deepening my understanding of the advertising industry and offering both challenges and triumphs for a truly fulfilling summer. If you're a student or even a graduate who’s curious about the inner workings of an agency, apply for a VI internship! You won’t regret it.
Interested in pursuing a VI internship? Apply here!
